His Idea Of What Religion Was….

The invisible realm of God can only be seen when God removes the scales from our eyes. Seeing “spiritually” is one of the greatest gifts God can give us while we are still on this earth. The ability to see beyond the “now”, beyond the “worldly pleasures”, beyond the “self-centeredness”, is what the Holy Spirit gives us. Saul (Paul) had his scales removed. He no longer was controlled by his “false” sense of religion/duty. His idea of what “religion” was supposed to be like, earning it through works of righteousness, was shattered. He must have been devastated. Knowing what you studied and put into practice your entire life, was now no longer part of your life, must have destroyed his pride. It didn’t last long though. All of his studies and knowledge were now going to be put to the test. A test that would show him what he was really made of, why God chose him. All of his preparations now made crystal, clear sense. All the religious practices now had a purpose, to show the world Who God really was. And what His purpose was for him, to have a real relationship with Him, through Jesus our Lord. In order to become a true believer, a faithful follower of Christ Jesus, we have to repent, lose the scales from our eyes. We must gain the ability to see spiritually. The only way that is possible is by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. And the only way that will ever happen is if God grants us that gift. It’s His prerogative, not ours. Prepare your heart by humbling yourself through repentance, or at least be willing to be honest with yourself. So when your “Damascus road” event takes place, you react the same way Saul (the Apostle Paul) did, and you do your part in winning souls to Christ. Thank God today for His wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift too wonderful for words. Our ability to see beyond what the world sees is directly related to our walk with the Lord. When we are lacking the insight we need, draw closer to the Lord, for He is the only One that has the ability to make us truly see.

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Acts 9:17-19a I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called–His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18